You are not a sketch. Say no to anorexia.

1. Identify the main message of the PSA.

As it says in the picture, “you are not a sketch, say no to anorexia.”

2. Analyze the creative strategies to convey the message of the PSA.

a. What is the concept?

People, specifically women, wanting to be as thin as what they see in the sketch causing them to be anorexic.

b. What is the design?

An extremely thin, bony woman doing a pose exactly the same as the sketch next to it. Very simple, but gives a strong message.

c. How were the concepts and design realized effectively?

The message being portrayed is made obvious causing a person to immediately know what the PSA is about.

3. Find out the technical requirements necessary to construct the PSAs.

a. What equipment were used?

Photoshop and the pad people use for sketching in a computer.

b. What elements make up the production design?

The sketch of a model, the actual model, and the phrase that says “You are not a sketch. Say no to anorexia.”

c. Were photographic/cinematographic special effects used?

Yes, photographic special effects were obviously used. (Photoshop)

4. Evaluate how the creativity of the PSA relates to the social dimension of the public messages.

a. Is the PSA evocative and "entertaining"?

Yes, the PSA was evocative because when I first saw the photo, it made me feel sad that there really are people who don’t eat anymore because of the fear of being fat.

b. Does the entertainment value of the PSA take away or add to the seriousness of the message?

If by “entertaining” meaning enjoyable or amusing, then no it does not add to the seriousness but it takes it away. This is a matter that isn’t supposed to be taken lightly.

c. Does the PSA build on stereotypes that may be unnecessarily discriminating against a certain class of people?

Maybe to people who are opposite to anorexic people. Those who actually want to BE fat. But then again, I honestly don’t think it unnecessarily  discriminates anyone.

d. Does the PSA build on positive ideas or emotions?

It tells people who suffer from anorexia, as well as those who think they’re fat that they’re not a sketch so there’s no need for them to have that ideal type of body.

e. Does the PSA build on negative ideas or emotion?

I don’t think so. Although the only negative idea here is the thought of not eating anything anymore.

f. What are the effective and ineffective aspects of appealing to the positive or negative ideas and emotions vis-a-vis particular public service messages?

The most effective aspect for me was the skinny woman posing exactly like the sketch of a model. Again, there were no negative aspects in the photo.

5. Determine the target audience of the PSA.

a. Which audience needs to see the PSA?

Those who suffer from anorexia, people who are too insecure about their body, who think they’re too “fat”.

b. What visual or aural conventions/strategies were used to appeal to a particular audience?

An ultra-thin woman being compared to a mere sketch of a model.

c. Do these visual or aural conventions/strategies add to a deeper understanding or emotional appeal to the PSA?

Yes, very much. It shows the negative effect of when women don’t eat anything anymore just to achieve their “body goals”.

Women, including men, must eat and maintain their health. Eating less, once a day, or nothing at all, WOULD make you thin but will put your body on a lot of stress. You would get even more depressed than you are now. Eating at least 3 - 6 times a day, having a proper diet and exercise is a healthy way of losing those so-called “fats”. Losing fat isn’t easy, there’s no shortcut to fat loss (Unless you go through liposuction obviously... but do you really want needles and knives cutting your body?) The thing is, maybe you’re not at all fat. You just think you are. When people try to put you down by saying things like “you should lose weight”, “you got fat what happened to you”, “it’s a shame that you’re fat, you could’ve been pretty”, and other useless, “BS” nonsense, don’t listen to any of it. Put a smile on your face, tell them to mind their own business (you didn’t ask for their opinion anyway), beat them to a pulp (only in your head, not physically J), then flip your hair and turn away. Always remember...

YOU ARE NOT A SKETCH.

SAY NO TO ANOREXIA.

Ponder Questions (P.92)

1. How much are you familiar with the film genres of found footage, slasher, and teen movies?

Well for films with so-called "found footage", horror movies based on true stories, and stuff like that, they are not true. Those movies aren't really "based" on true stories, they're more like "inspired" by real life stories and they twist those stories. Teen movies are just practically based on what other teenagers are going through. Other than that, I'm not very much familiar with slasher movies. I wasn't exposed to that kind of genre too much. The only thing I know about slasher movies is that it is very bloody and full of gore.

2. How is the genre of horror a suitable vehicle for a story about injustice?

I don't believe that when people commit suicide, they would come back to the world as angry, revengeful spirits. Like, why would a ghost hack your computer anyways. But anyway, everything a person does, whether good or bad, has its own consequences.

3. How particular is the visual approach of Unfriended a suitable form for a story about cyber-bullying and its tragic results?

Unfriended is also like this movie called Friend Request. Both movies deal with cyber-bullying and an angry spirit coming back to get revenge. Unfriended shows what could happen to a person when cyber-bullied, specifically that person may commit suicide (but again, no spirit would come back to get revenge).

4. How does the combination of media form and content provide a window on understanding the cultures presented in the diegesis (the world in the story)?

Teenagers, as well as adults, actually go through these things and we can somehow understand what it would be like when cyber-bullying or being cyber-bullied.

5. How does the combination of media form and media content in Unfriended play down the cultural differences between media producer and media consumer? 

Cyber-bullying is a big issue in some countries which even resulted in the government making laws to prevent or lessen this incident. Cyber-bullying is never a good thing. So stop if you're doing it.

Ponder Questions (P.88)

Which Movie Genres Are You Drawn To?

1. Draw up a list movie genres you are drawn to.

·  Comedy

·  Drama

·  Romance

·  Teen Films

·  Musicals

·  Mystery/ Suspense

·  Fantasy

2. Identify the key elements of these genres.

 Comedy - It's aim of a comedy film is to illicit laughter from the audience through entertaining stories and characters. It also always has a happy ending.

Drama - Relies on the emotional and relational development of realistic characters. Often, the dramatic themes are taken from intense, real life issues. Whether heroes or heroines are facing a conflict from the outside or a conflict within themselves, it aims to tell an honest story of human struggles.

Romance - Usually has a theme that explores an issue within love, including but not limited to: love at first sight, forbidden love, love triangles, and sacrificial love. Whether the end is happy or tragic, it aims to evoke strong emotions in the audience.

Teen Films - The plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers, such as coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst, and alienation.

Mystery/ Suspense - It centers on a person of authority, usually a detective, that is trying to solve a mysterious crime. The main protagonist uses clues, investigation, and logical reasoning.

Fantasy - Involve magic, supernatural events, or fantasy worlds. Allows the audience to be transported into a new and unique world. Often, these films center on an ordinary hero in an extraordinary situation.

Musicals - The songs of a film can either be used to further the story or simply enhance the experience of the audience. Traditional musicals center on a well-known star, famous for their dancing or singing skills. These films explore concepts such are love and success, allowing the audience to escape from reality.

3. Find samples of posters of movies that you really like.

 

In my opinion, for everything except probably "Iron Man", the elements in the movies are already presented in the posters.

4. Specify which elements of the movie genres you like draw you to watch.

 Before watching the movie, I personally have to know who the actors/ actresses are and if I know that actor/ actress and I like the person, I wouldn't hesitate to watch the film. Aside from the people who act, I get drawn to their cinematography, themes, and emotional impact.

5. Determine the patterns of meanings that the movies you like reinforce every time you watch.

It's good to remember that not all movie have good meanings in it, but there are still also many good things. For example, the theme of the movie "Mean Girls" wasn't really appropriate but it did give a good message to some like don't judge a book by it's cover, don't dumb yourself down for a guy or anyone else, for that matter, you are who you hang out with so be careful when choosing your friends, apologize when you know you're wrong, and many more.